Highlights from San Diego Comic Con #3

Nothing beats the melee of costume madness marching through the hallways of the San Diego Convention Center. It’s like nerd Halloween… for four and a half days.

For those of you thinking of dressing up for next year, here’s a few tips to make your costume stand out:

1. Mix It Up: Stormtroopers are a dime a dozen at Comic Con. Princess Leias? More than you can count. There’s even a handful of Darth Vaders. So what’s a Star Wars fan to do? Start mixing and matching genres. How about Boba Fett dressed as Elvis? Or a medieval samurai Sith? Ever wonder what a cowboy-steampunk-Jawa might look like? Time to find out.

2. Dead Ringer: Do your friends think you look like a celebrity (particularly one that has starred in a superhero, sci-fi or cult hit)? Then you’re halfway there. Do you have the same build as Adam West? Go find a 60’s Batman costume. Look anything like Patrick Stewart? Then find a wheelchair or a black and yellow onesie. Often mistaken as Lou Ferrigno? Eh, probably not. Set the green paint down and put your shirt back on… quickly.

3. Out From Obscurity: Come dressed as one of your favorite side characters, minor villains or long-lost golden age heroes. Don’t worry, someone will rack their brain trying to figure out who you are, and when they do, you’ll make their day.

4. D.Y.O.T (Do Your Own Thang): Why conform to The Man’s predefined, corporate, white-washed definition of superhero? Be your own invention. Sure you’ll get weird looks, but isn’t that how people would react to a real-life mutant with glowing green skin and a headband named Draxel Fin the Glom God of Zon?